Catharine & Edward by Marianne Knightly Read Free Book Online Page A

picture…” He shook his head, then his face relaxed when he grinned. “Bitch took the memory card from my camera before she walked away in case I got one of her coming, and she moved so fast I didn’t have time to put in a replacement or grab my other camera as she walked away. What she didn’t know, being the dumbass bitch she is, is that in my profession, you never keep just one or two cameras handy. I always wear a body camera in case celebrities come after me and I need to sue their ass.”
    Edward decided not to point out that, as Cesaire was the one who instigated the harassment, he was liable in any court case under current Vallerian law. “So you recorded the whole thing?”
    Cesaire nodded. “Got the original in a safe deposit box at Valentia Bank, other copies scattered around. You want it, you take care of my boy first.” He moved to cross his arms, then remembered the handcuffs when they pulled his arms back. “And fucking uncuff me. Give a man some room, for Christ’s sake.”
    We’ve confiscated his computer and we’re breaking into it now , Marcello said quietly through Edward’s earpiece. We found lots of memory cards, which we’re also combing through. Keep at him. We’ll get his son and the children’s ward at the hospital secured in the meantime, and start combing through their security footage.
    Edward tapped his fingers on the table, a code only Marcello would see to confirm that his message had been received. “We’re not done yet, Cesaire. I’ve got more questions.”
    “I’m done answering. Protect my boy first.”
    “Answers first.”
    “No way in hell.”
    “No way it works otherwise.”
    “I said I’m not answering.”
    Edward slammed a hand down on the table, and the sound of metal echoed around the room. “Do you think you have any fucking leverage here? If this is part of a plot to assassinate the king or queen, or another member of the royal family, you could be labeled as an accessory to treason.”
    Cesaire paled.
    “Is this settling in? You want to see your boy again, you answer our questions and you do it now. I promise you we’ll take care of your boy.”
    Cesaire swallowed, then let out a long breath. “Fuck. Fucking hell.” His head fell awkwardly into his bound hands again. “All right. Ask away.”
    Finally . Now they were getting somewhere. “How did you get into the palace?”
    Cesaire straightened and shook his head. “It wasn’t hard. Been watching the palace for a couple weeks to get a feel for how I could sneak in. Kitchens were easiest. Deliveries every day, lots of folks coming in and out. Used a contact at a local linen supply store, asked if I could ride along with them one day. Paid them good money for it, too. They’re a small business; every little bit helps ’em.”
    Edward scrolled through a mental list of approved royal vendors; three linen companies were on the list. He discarded two immediately – both of which worked nationally, not just in Valleria’s capital, Valentia. “Capital Linen Services? That’s who worked with you, isn’t it?”
    By the look on Cesaire’s face, Edward knew he’d hit the mark. That was now a vendor they’d soon blacklist. “Right. So, you used them to get into the palace. You wore their uniform, too, didn’t you?”
    Cesaire nodded. “Looks like one of those coats cooks wear, but I tore off the company’s logo. After we got inside with the delivery, I snuck away.”
    Edward knew something had been off with that coat. He’d have to follow up with palace security to determine why they didn’t recognize only one person leaving when two people arrived.
    Edward had no patience for shoddy security agents.
    He knew Marcello didn’t, either.
    “What’d you do next?”
    “Stole a kitchen cart and dumped the goods on it, then used the security card to get to where I needed to go. Took some time, since I didn’t have a map of the palace or anything.”
    “Where’d you get the mics and